Issue 76 / April 2017

Tom Grennan
+ Barns Courtney
I Love Live Events @ Shipping Forecast -
01/03
Success can be a threatening prospect in the music industry.
Too often we have seen artists who once had oodles of raw
individuality become watered-down versions of themselves in
an attempt to build a wider audience to sell to. There’s a point at
which, sometimes, an artist becomes more of a business than a
creative entity. Failing that, quite often we also see artists lose
all credibility as they withdraw from their honest expression
and attempt to make themselves more anodyne and likeable;
detaching from their cult following and drifting in limbo as
they desperately try to ‘make it’. It seems that an artist’s career
eventually reaches a moment where they can either opt for
underground cult heroism or risk themselves on mainstream
stardom. For our headliner tonight, such a moment has reared
itself.
In The Shipping Forecast’s Hold, support act BARNS
COURTNEY introduces himself to a packed crowd. He dives
into a set of impressive bluesy pop songs that gets the stirring
audience moving. Considering he is just one man and a guitar he
has a formidable stage presence and can cut through the hustleand-bustle
of bar chatterings and turn everyone’s head.
TOM GRENNAN has an undeniable buzz surrounding him
this year. He’s a frequent collaborator with Chase & Status and
with a steady stream of EPs over the past couple of years, he’s
building steam – and fast. He’s already reached the BBC’s Sound
Of 2017 longlist and has been spotlighted by MTV Brand New
for 2017. Not bad for a young lad from Bedford.
Mic Lowry
+ Mahalia
O2 Academy - 18/02
The term ‘boy band’ might immediately make you think of girls
screaming at a group of hair-gelled and check-shirted lads, who
were put together by a record label or a reality contest based on
their teen-idol potential. The stereotype can be a misleading one
and MIC LOWRY are here to show us why.
The five Liverpool-born members – Ben Sharples, Kaine
Ofoeme, Akia Jones, Delleile Ankrah and Michael Welch –
began singing together in vocal workshops ran by a local music
development company, Positive Impact. In 2011, they decided
to fuse their talents and start a vocal harmony group. From
performing in small venues around Liverpool, MiC Lowry have
since won the 2014 MOBO Unsung award, performed on the
BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury, and ended 2016 by
supporting Justin Bieber on his European tour. Embarking on their
own tour this year, the group complete this rousing circle when
they make their homecoming at a packed O2 Academy, delivering
the outstanding vocal abilities that give MiC Lowry their edge.
The evening begins with support from MAHALIA, whose
sensitive acoustics and high spirits delight the already buzzing
crowd. They enthusiastically sing along to her cover of Rihanna’s
Work, which maintains the smooth rhythm of the original, while
adding her own tender and soulful twist with slick guitar strums
and lovely vocals. Mahalia’s own tracks, Back Up Plan and Social
Media, offer relatable and encouraging lyrics from the uplifting
perspective of a thoughtful young woman. Mahalia points to
issues that evidently resonate with the mostly teenage crowd
who quickly pick up her catchy lyrics.
When it’s their turn to enter the fray, MiC Lowry are
welcomed to the stage by the excited cheers of a warm audience
as they readily launch into the first track of the night, Saving All
My Love. The performance is stripped back and relies on the
synchronised rhythm of their stunning vocal collaboration, as
each member brings their own passionate sound and technique.
Varying in pitch and tone, their voices bring something different
to each song in terms of emotion and rhythm. Influenced by the
likes of Boyz II Men and Jagged Edge, Tuxedo and Bad Intentions
are reminiscent of old school soul and RnB. The group effortlessly
blend their silvery vocals into slick harmonies onstage, whilst
confidently dancing to the smooth and buoyant beats. Not only
delivering upbeat tracks, the emotive RnB ballad Heart Of Yours
causes mass swoons in the crowd with its slow and gentle
rhythm.
Similarly to Bieber, the group gathered a fan base via online
platforms such as YouTube, where they have posted many
notable covers and mash-ups. Tonight, the group treat us to
impressive covers of Bryson Tiller’s Exchange and Don’t, as well
as Sweet Love by M-Beat. They inject an exciting funk vibe into
the evening, with catchy beats that rile the singing crowd and
unite them in a groove. Recently released single, Oh Lord – an
adaptation of Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight – is a prime example
of the group’s dynamic and complex musical technique. The
overall richness of their performance promises plenty more
musical treats from these talented young men.
Jessica Greenall / @jessrg1995
But where does he go from here? Right now, he has a cult
following that has had The Hold sold out weeks before tonight’s
show. However, as he steps onto the stage and dives headlong
into a set full of heart-wrenching ballads and uplifting anthems, it
has to be said that a large section of the crowd seems to be quite
indifferent to what’s happening on stage. It’s as if the people
here just want to be seen being here rather than to revel in the
spectacle of the show. Everyone is very aware of themselves.
And it is not Grennan’s fault. He sings passionately from
the bottom of his heart and tears through songs such as
Something In The Water and Giving It All with a heated intensity.
He plays, and sings, well. It’s just that he doesn’t quite drag
people’s attention towards the stage. There’s the occasional
sing along, and some cheering and camaraderie, but too often
it’s unfortunate to witness people talking and laughing amongst
themselves while he plays – it’s irritating.
His set is loaded with powerful performances, with a
definitive peak in Sweet Hallelujah. However, as he closes the
set to a loud applause it’s not convincing that his following is as
loyal as their numbers suggest. It could perhaps be that Grennan
is, unfortunately for him, the hipster’s flavour of the week. This
year will be telling for tonight’s headlining young artist, and it’ll
no doubt be interesting to see whatever happens. But whichever
way he moves on this crossroad, his performance tonight proves
that his talent is not just hype.
Christopher Carr / @ccar88
Five Years Of Madnice
+ Abstract Orchestra Does Dilla
+ MC Ge-Ology
Madnice Marauders and Bam!Bam!Bam! @
24 Kitchen Street - 18/02
Big band hip hop collective ABSTRACT ORCHESTRA bring to
life some of James Dewitt Yancey’s best work, cramming onto
the small stage tonight to celebrate his music and life, and to
demonstrate their love and appreciation for sharing his talent
with the world. Often being described as ‘the Mozart of hip hop’,
not only is Dilla’s music overwhelmingly influential for many past
and present hip hop artists, it is almost as carefully crafted as
the classical musical mastermind. Tonight’s show, in celebration
of the fifth birthday of promoters MADNICE MARAUDERS at
the well-loved 24 Kitchen Street, is all set up to be a musical
masterpiece. The late J Dilla would have celebrated his 43rd
birthday on 10th February, making for perfect timing for the
collective to perform his work.
The setting and atmosphere is almost ironic; this grungy
venue playing host to a classical set up, complete with sheet
music neatly placed on stands, as opposed to DJ decks and a
mic for the MC. With only a slight delay, the collective take to the
stage with the sold-out crowd screaming in excitement. Opening
with track Nothing Like This, the room is soon filled with the
audience singing back the catchy vocal hook “All I need in
Tom Grennan (Kay Lang / @KayLangPhoto)
Abstract Orchestra Does Dilla (Mook Loxley / mookloxley.tumblr.com)
my life is/there ain’t nothing like this/I never felt quite like this”.
The Abstract Orchestra and their crowd are transported into a
dream-like state as the essence of J Dilla’s unique sound becomes
stronger with each track, amounting to a very fitting opening.
The interweaving dual male and female vocal lines create
a perfect harmony with leading flute and saxophone lines
throughout the set; most notably on crowd favourite U-Love
where, at times, the flute steals the vocal melody to make way for
the backline to shine and Dilla’s classic hip hop beats find their
way to centre stage. The constant parallels between old school
hip hop, jazz and classical genres remind the audience and the
performers of Dilla’s versatility and knowledge of music. The set
up of music stands and a conductor remains firmly within the
classical realm; but the driving brass riffs and complex rhythms
steer towards a more typical jazz standard, it is then that the
rhythm section steals the audience’s attention and establishes
J-Dilla’s influential loose, laid back rapping style.
As the set comes to a close, the audience screams for an
encore as we grasp for a few more seconds of raw energy
form Abstract Orchestra whilst they re-live the epic stream of
J-Dilla’s work performed in its purist form. With the live ensemble
recreating the scratches and mixes between songs, just as if it
were being played on decks, nothing can compare to the sweet
sounds of live brass mirroring the melodies of one of the greats.
As New York MC GE-OLOGY takes to the stage, his effortless
expertise transports the crowd onto the next track, keeping the
energy of the room alive long after the sound of Dilla fades into
the night.
Rosa Jane / @RosaaJW
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